Shark Bites

According to insider Jay Glazer, Vikings QB Joe Webb took all the 1st-team reps in practice this week. QB Christian Ponder (elbow) was limited to mental reps. The team reportedly hasn't even been told who will start tonight, although Glazer says the team expects Ponder to be able to play. Webb would actually give Minnesota another dimension with his legs, but he'd be in a tough spot making his first start of the season at Lambeau Field in the playoffs. We'll have Ponder's official status around 7 pm ET. Regardless of who starts, expect a ton of RB Adrian Peterson.

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Vikings HC Leslie Frazier confirmed that Joe Webb will be staying at QB. The team had been experimenting with him at WR, but Webb showed big-time progress as a passer last year. He completed 54% of his passes with 3 TDs and 2 INTs over the final 4 weeks. He's probably not a real threat to QB Christian Ponder's starting job coming out of training camp, but Webb's upside will definitely shorten Ponder's leash.

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Entering for a concussed Christian Ponder early in the 3rd quarter of Saturday's game against the Redskins, Vikings QB Joe Webb led his squad to 23 2nd-half points and a victory. Webb attempted just 5 passes but completed 4 for 84 yards and 2 scores. He added 34 yards and another TD on the ground. "Some of the things he does, man, and what it does to the rest of our team -- you can't ignore it," HC Leslie Frazier said. "Magic. He's gifted, man," added WR Percy Harvin. Saturday's performance came on the heels of another impressive outing back in Week 14. In that one, Webb completed 12 of 23 balls for 84 yards and 1 TD, adding another 109 and a score on the ground. He's still raw as a passer, but his ability to make plays with his legs gives him plenty of fantasy upside. If Webb gets the start against the Bears this weekend, he'll be an intriguing option in 2-QB leagues. We'll track Ponder's recovery from that concussion.

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With each additional day this lockout lasts, Vikings QB Joe Webb's chances of opening the 2011 season as the starter continue to grow. Minnesota would love to add a veteran QB like Kevin Kolb or Kyle Orton. But with a roster freeze in place, they may be forced to address the issue in the draft. And you have to think Webb would have a chance to beat out a rookie for the starting job. HC Leslie Frazier confirmed that it'll be an open competition this summer. "We like Joe," Frazier said. "We like some of the things he did at the end of last season. We're going to give him a chance to compete for that starting job as well. It's open. We hope to have a young guy, and maybe a veteran guy. But it's going to be open competition." Webb has some upside, but he's still extremely raw. If he ends up starting, Minnesota's passing game could be in trouble.

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Vikings HC Leslie Frazier hinted that the team may be looking to take a QB in this April's NFL Draft. "I think we all want a young quarterback that we can develop and build our franchise around," Frazier said. "That would be ideal, to find the next Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco." Minnesota holds the 12th overall pick and may be able to land Auburn's Cam Newton or Arkansas' Ryan Mallet. Meanwhile, it looks like the organization views QB Joe Webb only as a backup.

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